Chapter Fifty-Five: Deciphering the Chessboard at White Omen Mountain, Part Three

The Yellow Crane Tower is one of the three most famous pavilions south of the Yangtze River. Situated on Yellow Crane Rock atop Snake Hill in Wuchang, it has long been a destination of renown. The structure is a square, five-story building with a pointed roof, standing over fifty meters high and thirty meters wide. Its four tiers of upturned eaves give it a magnificent and imposing appearance, adorned with ornate beams, painted rafters, and shimmering gold and jade. Looking out from the tower, one sees the mighty Yangtze River surging eastward, a grand and majestic sight that stirs the heart, drawing countless scholars and poets here to contemplate the scenery and express their joys and sorrows.

At this time, the Yellow Crane Tower was also a renowned restaurant, frequented by high-ranking officials, nobility, and elegant, wealthy guests. Beneath a massive relief carving of a yellow crane in the main hall, Min Fengpao, a gentleman of Snake Hill, was hosting Zhu Weiyuan and his associates from the Heba Gang. Joining them were Min’s two younger brothers, Min Fengshan and Min Fengzhong, along with several local notables.

Min Fengpao rose to offer a toast to Zhu Weiyuan, saying, "Master Zhu, I offer this cup to you first, to thank you for your assistance. Not only did you drive away the scoundrels of Baizhao Mountain at the Suizhou inn, but you also defeated the Four Heroes of Dahong Mountain on the road, saving me from peril. I am truly grateful." Zhu Weiyuan raised his glass with a smile, "We are old acquaintances, Master Min; there is no need for such formalities." He then gestured to the others before downing the drink in one gulp, which Min Fengpao quickly refilled.

After Zhu Weiyuan finished three cups and acknowledged Min’s hospitality, he shifted the subject: "This Yellow Crane Tower is world-famous. The Tang poet Cui Hao once composed a poem here that became a masterpiece for the ages." Zhu then recited softly: "The ancients have already ridden the yellow crane away, leaving only the Yellow Crane Tower here. Once the yellow crane has flown, it never returns; the white clouds drift for a thousand years in vain. The clear river reveals every tree of Hanyang, and the fragrant grasses grow lush on Parrot Island. At dusk, where is my hometown? The misty waves on the river stir one's sorrow."

"Excellent!" Min Fengpao and the others applauded. Min Fengpao laughed, "Master Zhu is a master of both martial arts and literature; we are truly in awe." Zhu Weiyuan shook his head, "Since that poem left Cui Hao’s pen, it has spread throughout the world. Who among the literate cannot recite it? Especially the final line, ‘The misty waves on the river stir one's sorrow,’ which captures the essence of nostalgia and antiquity—it is the soul of the poem." Min Fengshan and the local notables nodded in silent agreement.

Min Fengpao rose again, smiling, "The ancients were mostly sentimental souls. With our friends gathered here, enjoying ourselves to the fullest, what sorrow could there be? Come, let me toast Master Zhu again." Zhu Weiyuan accepted with a smile, then added, "The Song dynasty scholar Yan Yu called Cui Hao’s 'Yellow Crane Tower' the pinnacle of Tang regulated verse. This is no empty claim; even the illustrious Poet Immortal, Li Taibai, held this poem in high regard."

Min Fengshan added, "Indeed. When Li Taibai traveled to the Yellow Crane Tower and gazed into the distance, he was filled with poetic inspiration and picked up his brush to write. But upon seeing Cui Hao’s poem on the wall, he left only two lines: 'My heart has verses but cannot express them; Cui Hao’s poem is already written above.' He then threw down his brush and sighed as he departed."

Zhu Weiyuan remarked, "It seems the poetic response to scenery is universal. After leaving the tower, Li Bai remained troubled by the matter, wishing to compose a superior work to rival Cui’s. Though he never said it aloud, as a poet, the sentiment remained." Min Fengshan laughed, "I did not expect Master Zhu to be not only a master of the double blades but also so well-versed in poetry. You are right; Li Taibai later wrote 'Ascending Phoenix Terrace in Jinling' with the express intent of challenging Cui’s poem."

Min Fengshan then recited: "Phoenixes once played on the Phoenix Terrace; the phoenixes have gone, the terrace is empty, and the river flows on. The flowers of the Wu palace are buried in hidden paths, and the finery of the Jin dynasty has become an ancient mound. Three peaks are half-hidden beyond the blue sky, and two streams divide the Egret Island. Alas, the floating clouds hide the sun; not seeing Chang'an stirs one's sorrow."

"Wonderful!" Zhu Weiyuan praised. "Li Taibai is truly the Poet Immortal; he had a brilliant response."

Zhu continued, "Li’s poem rivals Cui’s in artistry, but in terms of artistic conception and spirit, it falls slightly short. In expressing emotion, Cui Hao’s poem still holds the lead." Min Fengshan nodded, "Master Zhu is a true connoisseur of poetry. While later generations have debated the works of Cui and Li, both remain as precious as jade."

Zhu Weiyuan agreed, "Master Min is correct. Since those two, no one has been able to surpass them, largely because later poets could not reach their depth." Min Fengshan smiled, "Not necessarily. The ancients are, after all, the ancients, and the present can surpass the past. There is a man today of peerless talent, known as the 'First Talent of Jiangnan,' Han Yu of Gusu. A year ago at Yueyang Tower by Dongting Lake, he imitated Cui’s style and wrote his own 'Yueyang Tower'."

Zhu Weiyuan, intrigued, said, "Someone dares to challenge the ancients? Second Master, please recite it; let us see if it is a masterpiece." Min Fengshan recited: "The waters of Dongting Lake are clear; Baling rebuilds the Yueyang Tower. Ancient winds and past rains carry people across; ascending to resolve the world’s sorrows. Sand gulls fly in flocks, golden scales swim; the drizzling rain hides the prefecture. Where are the tiger’s roar and the ape’s cry? Leaving my country and missing my home stirs my sorrow."

"A fine poem!" Zhu Weiyuan clapped. "The conception and artistry even surpass those of Cui and Li! It is a true masterpiece of feeling and reflection. But..." Zhu looked puzzled, "These lines sound very familiar. Wait, are these not the words from Fan Zhongyan’s 'Record of Yueyang Tower'?"

Min Fengshan laughed, "When Han Yu visited Yueyang Tower, he felt exactly as Li Taibai did at the Yellow Crane Tower. He sighed, 'My poetic intent is already fully captured by Fan’s prose; there is no better writing to be found in this world. I might as well borrow his phrases to form a poem.' And so, this poem, imitating both Tang and Song styles, was born."

Zhu Weiyuan burst into laughter, "This 'First Talent of Jiangnan' is a most elegant thief, but the act is brilliant nonetheless." Min Fengshan added, "After all, it was borrowing someone else's prose. Han Yu was not entirely satisfied and did not include it in his 'Cold Wind Poetry Collection'." Zhu nodded, "This Jiangnan talent has some poetic integrity after all!"

The discussion between Zhu Weiyuan and Min Fengshan added to the festive mood. Min Fengpao and the other guests nodded in approval, and they continued to exchange toasts.

At this moment, Min Fengshan happened to look back and saw a young man walking up the stairs. He found the person familiar, and upon closer inspection, was shocked. *Why is he here at the Yellow Crane Tower? He arrived so quickly... could it be?* Min felt a chill. The young man was Jian Liang. Jian’s unexpected appearance filled Min with dread. *He must have come for that object. He was surely the one who scared off the men from Baizhao Mountain at the Suizhou inn. To drive away the Huang brothers requires extraordinary skill; he must be a master. It seems he wants to claim it all for himself—how arrogant!*

Breaking into a cold sweat, Min Fengshan whispered to Min Fengpao and Zhu Weiyuan. The two remained calm but glanced toward Jian Liang.

Min Fengzhong asked, "What is it? Another scoundrel?" Min Fengpao signaled for him to be quiet. Min Fengshan steadied himself and said to Zhu, "I met this man briefly at the Suizhou inn. Let me go test his intentions." Zhu replied, "Very well, but do not startle him. If he is indeed the expert who drove off the Baizhao Mountain gang, he is a formidable foe." Min Fengshan nodded and walked toward Jian Liang.

Jian Liang, having left Baizhao Mountain, had traveled through Hankou, crossed the river to Wuchang, and headed straight for the Yellow Crane Tower. Gazing out from the top, he was captivated by the grand landscape—the Yangtze River surging eastward like a ribbon of water disappearing into the horizon. Feeling exhilarated, Jian saw the many tourists and thought, *Setting up a chess match here should be twice as effective. I shall have no trouble drawing out the imperial eunuch, Li Ruchuan.*

Suddenly, a voice behind him said, "So, this young gentleman has also arrived at the Yellow Crane Tower." Jian turned to see the man he had briefly encountered at the Suizhou inn and bowed, "Greetings, sir."

Min Fengshan returned the bow, "What a coincidence to meet you here. I am Min Fengshan. May I ask your name?" "I am Jian Liang," he replied. "Ah, Master Jian," Min probed, "Had I known you were coming to Wuchang, we should have traveled together."

Jian replied, "You left so early that day; I woke up late and missed you." Min was startled but kept his composure, "May I ask what brings Master Jian here? Are you traveling for pleasure?" Jian said, "The Yellow Crane Tower is world-famous; I have come here to attend to a special matter."

Min was shocked. *It is true; this mysterious young man has indeed come for that object.* Not daring to ask further, Min offered, "I am a local here. If there is anything you need, I am at your service."

Jian, thinking he needed a local person of standing to help set up his chess match, replied, "My business will indeed require your help, Master Min. I shall visit your estate in the next two days to consult with you." Min Fengshan trembled at the thought and hurriedly said, "I have other guests to attend to; please excuse me." He bowed and retreated in haste.

Jian watched Min return to his table, where he saw the Heba Gang leader, Zhu Weiyuan, looking at him with a strange expression. As their eyes met, Jian nodded with a polite smile, out of respect for Zhu, but Zhu seemed startled and quickly looked away. Back at the table, Min Fengshan looked grim as he nodded to the others, and Min Fengpao’s face betrayed a flicker of panic.